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Rashad Greene has missed nearly twice as many games as he's played in three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars [url=www.authenticschicagobears.com/cheap-anthony-miller-jersey]Anthony Miller Color Rush Jersey[/url] , leaving the receiver with plenty to prove going into the final year of his rookie contract.

 

It's not an ideal position. It's also not one Greene seems concerned about.

"I'm a deep thinker and I'm aware that life is going to hit you sometimes," Greene said after minicamp Wednesday. "It's hitting me this way, and it's my job. You've got to be able to bounce back and be strong and show that you can overcome adversity. It builds character and makes you a better person."

He's counting on it making him a better player, too.

Just being healthy is a good start.

Greene missed seven games as a rookie in 2015 because of a broken thumb. He missed eight more the following year because of an Achilles injury. He sat out all of last season with an ailing back.

Even with the injuries mounting, his confidence never wavered.

So it didn't bother him when the Jaguars signed Donte Moncrief to a one-year, $9.6 million deal in free agency or when they selected DJ Chark in the second round of the NFL draft.

"I wasn't thinking, 'Oh, this is the end,' or getting agitated with what was going on," Greene said. "You've got to make plays. At the end of the day, it's a job [url=www.officialflames.com/authentic-adidas-johnny-gaudreau-jersey]Adidas Johnny Gaudreau Jersey[/url] , and if you don't make plays, you're not going to make the team. That's imperative.

"You can't have anxiety. You just got to relax, have fun and make plays."

Greene would have been considered a long shot to make Jacksonville's roster just a few weeks ago. But the former Florida State standout, a fifth-round draft pick in 2015, has made his share of plays during organized team activities.

He's been so impressive that he looks like a strong option to be part of a rotation that includes Marqise Lee, Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Chark.

"A lot of times when you are injured, you do not have that ability to showcase what you can do," coach Doug Marrone said. "I think he went through that last year and right now he is healthy, performing well and looking a lot like the player that I first saw when he came here, making plays and doing things.

"I think that if he keeps continuing the way he does and continues to play this way during training camp and the preseason [url=www.raidersfootballauthentics.com/johnny-townsend-jersey-authentic]Youth Johnny Townsend Jersey[/url] , he will be heavily involved in the mix of making this team."

Greene has 24 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He's been more dynamic on special teams, returning 39 punts for 432 yards and a score. He averaged 16.7 yards a punt return as a rookie.

But injuries have been his more prominent story line.

"He is definitely versatile," offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "He is a smooth wide receiver that has a lot of good quick shake and control of his body. He is a guy that we are excited to see as the pads come on and as training camp goes. We just want to keep seeing him. He is doing everything he can to put himself in position to get out on the field."

And maybe watch less and play more.

"All I can ask for is a chance," Greene said. "And the organization is giving me that. It feels great to be out there and competing. I'm having fun, and I can live with the results."

Seen Steven Stamkos? Is he healthy?

The Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Tampa Bay Lightning sure hope so after Stamkos missed four of the last seven regular-season games with a nagging lower-body injury.

After a torn meniscus in his right knee cost Stamkos several months and likely Tampa Bay a playoff spot last season, his status bears watching more than any other injured player going into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Stamkos was a full participant in practice Monday and said it’s ”the hope” to be ready for Game 1 Thursday when the Lightning host the New Jersey Devils.

&rdquoefinitely a step in the right direction,” Stamkos told reporters in Tampa. ”Felt pretty good all things considered.”

That’s a good sign for the Lightning, who got 100 points from Nikita Kucherov but count on Stamkos to be their top-line center and a big-time scorer on the power play.

Tampa Bay’s opponent is hoping to get Marcus Johansson back after he missed New Jersey’s final 35 games with a concussion. Johansson has been cleared for contact, but not yet to play and said over the weekend he’s feeling better.

In the West, the already-deep top-seeded Nashville Predators are on the verge of getting forward Calle Jarnkrok back after he missed almost the final month of the regular season with an upper-body injury. Jarnkrok had 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points in 68 games with Nashville, which opens against Colorado.

”I think he’s getting real close [url=www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/roquan-smith-jersey]Roquan Smith Jersey[/url] ,” general manager David Poile said. ”We get into this time of the year, so I guess you’d have to say he’s day to day.”

Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz called forwards T.J. Oshie (lower body) and Jay Beagle (upper body) day to day, too. Oshie practiced Tuesday, while Beagle skated afterward with a more questionable status.

”I feel good,” Oshie said. ”I feel right now I’m playing my best hockey. Obviously, I’ve rested a couple of games. But I feel like I’ve had the most energy and the most clarity out there then I did for a while there. Right there I feel at my best.”

In the first round, they’ll have to deal with Columbus captain Nick Foligno, who’s ready to rejoin the Blue Jackets lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury.

A few high-profile defensemen weren’t as fortunate, and their injuries could prove costly. Boston lost Brandon Carlo and Minnesota lost Ryan Suter to broken ankles, and Winnipeg won’t have Dmitry Kulikov with a back injury. Winnipeg faces Minnesota in the first round.

It’s the second consecutive playoffs Carlo missed after he was concussed by Alex Ovechkin a year ago.

”It’s the one thing he’s been looking forward to,” Krug said of Carlo. ”Obviously he went through it last year missing the time and this year he was excited for it. You feel awful. It’s a tough break.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy said: ”It (stinks) [url=www.nashvillepredatorsteamshop.com/authentic-ryan-johansen-jersey]Authentic Ryan Johansen Jersey[/url] , honestly, for a guy that’s played almost every regular-season game. … It’s disappointing for me. He’s a well-liked guy on this team and done a lot, so that’s disheartening.”

The Bruins are optimistic injured forwards Rick Nash, Riley Nash and Sean Kuraly will be ready for Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

”They’re all working that way,” Boston GM Don Sweeney said. ”Hopefully they’ll all be available.”

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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed.

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